Frozen pipes are the stuff of nightmares.
Once water freezes and expands to the point of splitting a pipe, soaked drywall, warped floors, ruined and even collapsed ceilings are not far behind. Such loss events can cause structural damage due to weakened framing, and after a day of dampness, mold and mildew begin to grow.
If that's not frightening enough, imagine inhabiting a state better known for sunshine than snow and ice, where local systems and infrastructure may not be accustomed to managing cold-weather perils. States with milder winters often have more severe damage when unexpected deep freezes occur because buildings aren't insulated for extreme cold. Alternately, some states known for snow may be less populated, which means fewer insurance losses, and people and properties in those locations are experienced and prepared when temperatures plunge.
For proof, look no further than Winter Storm Uri in 2021, which unleashed more than a week of frigid temperatures on unsuspecting Texans. That event left million of homes and businesses without power, causing loss of life and more than 456,000 insurance claims.
It follows that the Lone Star State is among the top states in the U.S. for frozen pipe insurance claim costs, according to State Farm. The slideshow above illustrates State Farm's total insurance claim payouts for frozen pipe damage between August 2022 and August 2023.
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